Virtual Weight Loss Programs: 5 Types and What Each One Includes

"Virtual weight loss program" is a broad label. It covers everything from a phone app that tracks meals to a telehealth service where a licensed provider can prescribe medication. These are very different things, and choosing well starts with knowing which kind you are looking at. This guide describes five common types, what each includes, and what it does not. It is educational and does not replace medical advice.

Type 1: Self-guided apps

What it is. A phone or web application for tracking food, activity, weight, and habits.

What it usually includes.

• Logging tools and reminders
• Educational articles and lessons
• Charts of your own data

What it does not include.

• A medical evaluation
• Individual advice from a licensed professional
• Prescriptions

Worth asking. Who wrote the content, and how is my data used?

Type 2: Coaching programs

What it is. Regular contact with a coach by message, call, or video, focused on habits and accountability.

What it usually includes.

• Goal setting and check-ins
• Help with routines, planning, and motivation
• Sometimes group sessions

What it does not include.

• Medical diagnosis or treatment
• Prescriptions

Worth asking. What training or certification do the coaches hold? Coaching is not a licensed medical profession.

Type 3: Dietitian-led nutrition care

What it is. Appointments with a registered dietitian, who is a licensed nutrition professional.

What it usually includes.

• An individual nutrition assessment
• An eating plan suited to your health conditions
• Follow-up visits

What it does not include.

• Prescriptions, in most cases
• Diagnosis of medical conditions

Worth asking. Is the dietitian licensed in my state, and does my insurance cover visits?

Type 4: Medication-based telehealth

What it is. A service in which a licensed provider reviews your health history and may prescribe weight management medication.

What it usually includes.

• A health questionnaire and provider review
• A prescription when appropriate, filled by a licensed pharmacy
• Follow-up for side effects and dose changes

What it does not include.

• A physical examination
• Emergency care
• Your routine primary care

Worth asking. Is the medication FDA-approved or compounded, which pharmacy prepares it, and how do I reach the care team?

Type 5: Comprehensive or hybrid programs

What it is. A program that combines several of the above, sometimes with in-person visits, often run by a health system, clinic, or employer plan.

What it usually includes.

• Medical evaluation and lab work
• Nutrition and behavioral support
• Medication where appropriate
• Coordination with your other care

What it does not include.

• The same convenience as a fully online service
• Availability in every area

Worth asking. Am I eligible, and is there a waiting list?

How to tell which type you are looking at

• If no health questions are asked, it is not medical care
• If a licensed provider reviews your history and can prescribe, it is telehealth
• If the program's main product is a medication, read how it describes that medication's FDA status
• If it promises a specific result, be cautious whatever the type

Matching a type to your situation

• You want structure and awareness of your habits: a self-guided app may be a starting point
• You know what to do but struggle to keep it up: coaching may help
• You have a health condition that affects what you should eat: a dietitian is the appropriate professional
• You are considering prescription medication: you need a licensed provider, online or in person
• Your health history is complex: a comprehensive program or in-person care is usually the better fit

These types can be combined. Using a telehealth service for medication does not replace nutrition support or your primary care provider.

Questions to ask any program

• Who provides the service, and what are their qualifications?
• What exactly is included?
• What is not included?
• How do I cancel?
• How is my health information protected?

Where Nu Image fits

Nu Image is a medication-based telehealth service, the fourth type described above. Licensed providers review an online health questionnaire and decide whether a prescription is appropriate. The weight management programs use compounded medications prepared by state-licensed pharmacies. These are not FDA-approved and have not been reviewed by the FDA for safety, effectiveness, or quality. Nu Image does not replace your primary care provider.

This content is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Compounded medications are prepared by state-licensed compounding pharmacies and are not reviewed or approved by the FDA for safety, efficacy, or quality. Prescription products require an online consultation with a licensed healthcare provider, who will determine whether a prescription is appropriate.